The Thief Who Made the ‘Mona Lisa’ Famous

The theft of the “Mona Lisa” was considered one the biggest art heists of the 20th century.
The Thief Who Made the ‘Mona Lisa’ Famous
Officials gather around Leonardo da Vinci's “Mona Lisa” after its return to Paris on Jan. 4, 1914. The painting was stolen from the Louvre in Paris by Vincenzo Peruggia in 1911. Paul Thompson /Getty Images
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Every year, thousands of art lovers visit the famous Parisian museum, the Musée du Louvre. If you ask them what they want to see, no doubt the majority will mention Leonardo da Vinci’s portrait of Mona Lisa.

The surprisingly small portrait has long been shrouded in mystery. There is still some speculation as to the woman’s identity. Many scholars agree that it’s a portrait of Lisa del Giocondo, the wife of Francesco del Giocondo.

Bob Kirchman
Bob Kirchman
Author
Bob Kirchman is an architectural illustrator who lives in Augusta County, Va., with his wife Pam. He teaches studio art to students in the Augusta Christian Educators Homeschool Co-op.